About Katharine A. Díaz

Katharine A. Díaz is a writer, editor and broadcaster. Her broadcast experience includes producing and hosting “Canto Tropical” on KPFK-90.7 FM in Los Angeles that focuses on salsa and Afro-Cuban music. The program has been on the air since 1986 and serves all of Southern California and can be heard globally at kpfk.org. She has also hosted similar radio programs in Miami and Austin.

As a freelance writer, specializing in writing about Latino issues, music, food, culture and travel, her work has appeared in AARP VIVA, Latino Magazine, VISTA, Aboard Magazine, South Florida Gourmet Magazine, Corporate and Incentive Travel Magazine, Hispanic Trends, the Encyclopedia Latina and other publications. She was managing editor for Hispanic Magazine and edited six other national magazines, including the groundbreaking CAMINOS magazine.

Díaz recently published her first book, a cookbook titled “Sabores Yucatecos: A Culinary Tour of the Yucatán” (WPR Books: Comida, 2012). A Spanish-language edition – “Sabores Yucatecos: Un recorrido culinario a Yucatán” - was published in 2014.

A review of Ned Sublette’s tome on Cuban music.
We were all surprised when Ned Sublette came out with his hit recording Cowboy Rumba (Palm Pictures) in 1999. It was the perfect—yet totally unexpected and hard-to-imagine—blend of country-western and Afro-Caribbean … [Read more...]

When I wrote my “Salseros Lost in 2016” pieces for Dance Papi, I never thought I’d be writing a tribute to Albert Torres only months later. Unfortunately, that is what is happening now.
Albert Torres, promoter, salsa congress organizer, dancer, etc., died on May 25 … [Read more...]

We continue remembering artists we lost in 2016 and who contributed greatly to salsa and Afro-Cuban music. They—and others—are now up in that great rumbón in the sky.
Ismael Quintana
(June 3, 1937–April 16, 2016)
Ismael Quintana was born in Ponce, Puerto … [Read more...]

2016 saw the loss of several great artists who made considerable contributions to salsa and Afro-Cuban music. In Part I, we remember two great soneros—one from Mexico, another from Cuba.
Luis Ángel Silva Nava - "Melón"
(October 2, 1931–February 8, 2016)
Melón … [Read more...]

These CD’s wrapped up a good year of music
While we wait for the new crop of must-have cd’s for 2017, let’s check some of last year’s productions you might have missed.
Gran Combo
Alunizando
(EGC Records, 2016)
Gran Combo—or El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico—as … [Read more...]

In April 1986, a new show took to the airwaves on KPFK, 90.7 FM. Titled “Canto Tropical,” its mission was to play the best darn salsa and Afro-Cuban music in all of Southern California.
The genius behind the show was Hector Reséndez, better known to listeners as “La … [Read more...]

Not your run-of-the-mill new picks
Afro Latin Ensemble
Levántate o Despídete (Get Up and Dance)
(Aerie Records, 2015)
There is something so refreshing about a musical ensemble made up of music students. Embedded in the project is the knowledge that the music … [Read more...]

For many of us active in the Los Angeles salsa community, we first remember Fitto Foster as a founding member of one of the top salsa bands back in the 1970’s - Orquesta Versalles. What we didn’t know was that this singer, keyboardist, composer and arranger would … [Read more...]

From salsa gorda to romantic boleros, there’s something for everyone.
They just keep coming . . . great recordings that are worthy of your collection. In this batch we consider music from groups out of Los Angeles, Denver, Miami and Spain. All are different, all … [Read more...]

Common threads behind club doors
I've been a big fan of salsa for a long time. One of the things that I have always enjoyed about the world of salsa—besides the dancing and the music—is the unique environment found in salsa clubs. I find it fascinating that no … [Read more...]

Salsa recordings that should be in your collection
Occasionally, I’d like to review classic salsa recordings that I think should be in everyone’s collection. Luckily, many of these are now on CD or are downloadable from all the usual places. So if you aren’t into … [Read more...]

Tips for a safer and saner dance floor
Good manners and proper behavior belong everywhere, even on the dance floor. And let’s face it, when you have a lot of couples moving rapidly in a crowded place, each doing their own thing, stuff can happen that isn't always … [Read more...]